i've recently switched to mint from vista and find it a as a great seamless OS.but i m facing problems downloading apps since i use a SOCKS 5 proxy.The small .mint file (usually in a couple of 100 bytes) is downloaded, mintInstall starts but then fails to connect to the server for software download stating connection was prohibited...please help!

As you know this is about permissions in the proxy - not MintWhat happens if you use Synaptic to install something?If that works the problem is that the proxy does not see the connection between the mint file and what happens next.You have to change some setting in the proxy, but that's more than I can help you with (I believe)

You need to enter proxy information separately for Synaptic. It's in Settings--> Preferences--> Network Tab. I'm not sure if a mint file calls upon Synaptic to install the various packages. If so this would solve your problem.